Why Does My Dishwasher Smell?

If you’ve noticed your dishwasher has a bad smell, rest assured that this is a common problem that can be sorted with a few simple steps.

The most common cause of you asking yourself ‘why does my dishwasher smell bad’ is a clogged filter. Your appliance may smell unpleasant due to a build-up of food in the appliance’s filter. We recommend cleaning your machine’s filters on a weekly basis, or whenever the filters become clogged. Cleaning your dishwasher’s filters is fortunately a relatively simple task. To find out how to clean your appliance’s filters, please read our dedicated how to clean a dishwasher guide.

If you’re also wondering how long a normal dishwasher cycle should take, see our guide here.

To prevent bad smells from occurring, it is important to clean your entire dishwasher on a regular basis. Regularly cleaning your dishwasher will also help prolong the lifespan of your machine by preventing the build-up of limescale and bacteria which can damage the appliance. As a general guide, we suggest deeply cleaning your machine every few months to prevent the build-up of odours, limescale and bacteria.

It is important to clean the exterior of your dishwasher too. To do this, carefully wipe down the outer surface of your appliance using a damp cloth. To remove dirt and bacteria, you should also gently wipe down the appliance’s seals. Please note, it is important not to lift the seals away from the metal. We recommend using a dishwasher descaler/cleaner on a regular basis as well, to help reduce the build-up of smells and limescale.

Now that your dishwasher no longer smells, be sure to check out our other helpful tips regarding your appliance. We can assist when your dishwasher isn’t draining, for example, as well as instances when your machine isn’t cleaning dishes properly.